Flying start to the 2019 Rocketry Challenge

This week ADS was in Parliament with two of this year’s finalists of the UK Youth Rocketry Challenge (UKRoC) to showcase the challenge to MPs and help launch the 2019 competition.

Throughout the day nearly 25 MPs came to hear from the teams from Tonbridge and Abbeyfield schools about their experiences of the challenge and what they learnt from creating their own rockets.

ADS are the proud organisers of UKRoC and have been running the event annually since 2006. The challenge is aimed at students aged 11 – 18 from any secondary schools, colleges, educational facilities or youth groups to design, build and launch a model rocket with a fragile payload all whilst learning more about STEM subjects.

MPs from across the country were enthusiastic about how the challenges spark young people’s interest in STEM subject and hope that it leads to more young people taking careers in sectors such as aerospace, defence, security and space.

UKRoC is a great way to engage the next generation of engineers with practical experience of building and executing complex missions. This is an exciting way to learn more about maths and science, with the UK winners getting the chance to compete against teams from France, USA and Japan at the International Finals which in 2019 will be hosted at the Paris Air Show.

“Researching some of the aerodynamics was really fun and I learnt a lot of physics that I wouldn’t have outside of the competition. An air show is the best place to hold a rocketry competition, not only do you get to launch your rocket but you get to see amazing things as well.”

See below a selection of Tweets from MPs supporting the challenge in Parliament.

Pleasure to meet the winners of the International Youth Rocketry Challenge, Tonbridge School, in Parliament today with @ADSgroupUK. Incredible design and so much enthusiasm for their project. pic.twitter.com/5Eteqs75I3